1. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ τετάρτῳ ἔτει ἐπὶ Δαρείου τοῦ βασιλέως ἐγένετο λόγος κυρίου πρὸς Ζαχαριαν τετράδι τοῦ μηνὸς τοῦ ἐνάτου ὅς ἐστιν Χασελευ
2. καὶ ἐξαπέστειλεν εἰς Βαιθηλ Σαρασαρ καὶ Αρβεσεερ ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἐξιλάσασθαι τὸν κύριον
3. λέγων πρὸς τοὺς ἱερεῖς τοὺς ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ κυρίου παντοκράτορος καὶ πρὸς τοὺς προφήτας λέγων εἰσελήλυθεν ὧδε ἐν τῷ μηνὶ τῷ πέμπτῳ τὸ ἁγίασμα καθότι ἐποίησα ἤδη ἱκανὰ ἔτη
4. καὶ ἐγένετο λόγος κυρίου τῶν δυνάμεων πρός με λέγων
5. εἰπὸν πρὸς ἅπαντα τὸν λαὸν τῆς γῆς καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἱερεῖς λέγων ἐὰν νηστεύσητε ἢ κόψησθε ἐν ταῖς πέμπταις ἢ ἐν ταῖς ἑβδόμαις καὶ ἰδοὺ ἑβδομήκοντα ἔτη μὴ νηστείαν νενηστεύκατέ μοι
6. καὶ ἐὰν φάγητε ἢ πίητε οὐχ ὑμεῖς ἔσθετε καὶ ὑμεῖς πίνετε
7. οὐχ οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι εἰσίν οὓς ἐλάλησεν κύριος ἐν χερσὶν τῶν προφητῶν τῶν ἔμπροσθεν ὅτε ἦν Ιερουσαλημ κατοικουμένη καὶ εὐθηνοῦσα καὶ αἱ πόλεις αὐτῆς κυκλόθεν καὶ ἡ ὀρεινὴ καὶ ἡ πεδινὴ κατῳκεῖτο
8. καὶ ἐγένετο λόγος κυρίου πρὸς Ζαχαριαν λέγων
9. τάδε λέγει κύριος παντοκράτωρ κρίμα δίκαιον κρίνατε καὶ ἔλεος καὶ οἰκτιρμὸν ποιεῖτε ἕκαστος πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ
10. καὶ χήραν καὶ ὀρφανὸν καὶ προσήλυτον καὶ πένητα μὴ καταδυναστεύετε καὶ κακίαν ἕκαστος τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ μὴ μνησικακείτω ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν
11. καὶ ἠπείθησαν τοῦ προσέχειν καὶ ἔδωκαν νῶτον παραφρονοῦντα καὶ τὰ ὦτα αὐτῶν ἐβάρυναν τοῦ μὴ εἰσακούειν
12. καὶ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτῶν ἔταξαν ἀπειθῆ τοῦ μὴ εἰσακούειν τοῦ νόμου μου καὶ τοὺς λόγους οὓς ἐξαπέστειλεν κύριος παντοκράτωρ ἐν πνεύματι αὐτοῦ ἐν χερσὶν τῶν προφητῶν τῶν ἔμπροσθεν καὶ ἐγένετο ὀργὴ μεγάλη παρὰ κυρίου παντοκράτορος
13. καὶ ἔσται ὃν τρόπον εἶπεν καὶ οὐκ εἰσήκουσαν αὐτοῦ οὕτως κεκράξονται καὶ οὐ μὴ εἰσακούσω λέγει κύριος παντοκράτωρ
14. καὶ ἐκβαλῶ αὐτοὺς εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ἃ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν καὶ ἡ γῆ ἀφανισθήσεται κατόπισθεν αὐτῶν ἐκ διοδεύοντος καὶ ἐξ ἀναστρέφοντος καὶ ἔταξαν γῆν ἐκλεκτὴν εἰς ἀφανισμόν
Footnotes:
7:1-3 - The messengers from Bethel question the prophet about continuing the fast. This highlights the concern about external worship practices without true inner change. God values sincerity and genuine repentance, not empty rituals (see also Isaiah 58:5-7 and Matthew 6:16-18).
7:4-7 - God responds that fasting should not be seen as an end in itself, but as an expression of repentance and righteousness. He reminds the people that His words have always been ignored, and judgment has come as a consequence (see also Amos 5:21-24 and Jeremiah 7:23-24).
7:8-10 - God calls people to practice true justice, including acts of mercy and compassion. Genuine repentance results in actions that reflect God's character, not empty sacrifices (see also Micah 6:6-8 and James 1:27).
7:11-14 - The people reject God's appeals, and as a result, He rejects their prayers. Disobedience and hardened hearts prevent the people from experiencing God's blessing (see also Isaiah 1:15-17 and Matthew 23:37-39).
Verses related to Zacarias, 7:
Zechariah chapter 7 questions the authenticity of ritual fasting. What does God really want from His people? This challenging text answers a question about fasting, emphasizing the importance of justice and mercy over empty rituals. The chapter recalls the warnings of previous prophets and the consequences of disobedience. Zechariah 7 explores themes such as true worship, obedience from the heart, and social responsibility. Reflect with us on five biblical passages that illuminate the enduring principles of this provocative chapter.
Isaiah 58:6-7: "Isn't the fasting I desire this: to loosen the chains of injustice, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and to break every yoke? Isn't it sharing your food with the hungry, sheltering the helpless poor, clothing the naked you found, and not refusing help to your neighbor?" - This excerpt from Isaiah echoes the theme of Zechariah 7 about the true nature of fasting and worship that God desires.
Matthew 23:23: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint, dill and cummin, but you have neglected the most important precepts of the law: justice, mercy and faithfulness. You must practice these things, without omitting those." - Jesus emphasizes the importance of justice and mercy over ritualism, reflecting the theme of Zechariah 7.
Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires: do justice, love faithfulness and walk humbly with your God." - Micah summarizes what God really wants, aligning with Zechariah 7's message about true worship.
Jeremiah 7:5-7: "If you truly change your ways and your actions and treat one another fairly, if you do not oppress the stranger, the orphan and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor follow other gods to your own ruin, then I will let them live in this place, in the land that I gave to their ancestors forever." - Jeremiah emphasizes the importance of social justice, echoing the theme of Zechariah 7.
Amos 5:24: "Rather, let righteousness flow like a river, justice like an everlasting stream!" - Amos emphasizes the importance of ongoing righteousness, reflecting Zechariah 7's call for a true change of heart.
FAQ:
What does God reveal about fasting in Zechariah 7?
God questions the sincerity of fasting and teaches that true fasting must be accompanied by justice, mercy, and care for those in need. (Zechariah 7:4-10)
What is the message of Zechariah 7 about obedience?
The message is that obedience to God's will, reflected in our dealings with others, is more important than external rituals like fasting. (Zechariah 7:11-14)
What does the promise of restoration in Zechariah 7 mean?
The promise of restoration indicates that despite past disobedience, God will bring blessing and prosperity to Israel when they turn to Him. (Zechariah 7:8-10)
Why did God reject Israel's prayers and fasting?
God rejected Israel's prayers and fasting because they were more concerned with rituals than with living according to His commandments of justice and mercy. (Zechariah 7:5-6)
What does the "land of oppression" mentioned in Zechariah 7 mean?
The "land of oppression" symbolizes Israel's plight, marked by disobedience and suffering, which would be transformed by divine restoration. (Zechariah 7:14)
